Abstract:

The purpose of this thesis was to develop a methodology that could be used by local communities to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of their floodplain management programs. The methodology (i.e.: model) was designed to be usable by communities without requiring computer capability. The model looks at cost-effectiveness in terms of minimizing the average annual flood damages and the costs of programs implemented by the community to reduce flood damages. The Cities of Decatur, Elkhart, and Kokomo were selected to field test the model to illustrate current conditions in these communities. The City of Decatur was used as an example to show how alternative program scenarios could be developed, incorporated into the model, and used to determine the most cost-effective combination of average annual damages and program costs. The model was run to illustrate its method of operation and not to determine the cost-effectiveness of the floodplain management programs in the Cities of Decatur, Elkhart, and Kokomo.